ic! berlin Presents 'I See Exoskeleton'

‘I See Exoskeleton’ by ic! berlin is an instant classic; a sunglass that strikes the perfect balance between daring modernism and day-to-day wearability

Fresh from the ic! innovation lab comes ‘I see exoskeleton’, a design study in the remarkable potential of 3D printed eyewear. Featuring an intricate, scaffold-like construction, prominent oversized brow and innovative new 3D printed screwless hinge, ‘I see exoskeleton’ proves that nothing is impossible at ic! berlin. The word Exoskeleton comes from the Greek word éxō meaning “outer” and skeletós meaning “skeleton”. Also from the German Außenskelett, roughly translating to “kick-ass glasses”.

Inspiration can come from the smallest of places. Teeny tiny. Minuscule, even. In the case of ‘I see exoskeleton’, inspiration came at the molecular level. Inspired by the molecular structure of the raw material, plotic, the designers in the ic! innovation lab zoomed and magnified and magnified and zoomed, going ever deeper until eventually the inside became the outside: an “outside skeleton”.

Connecting this remarkable 3D printed polyamide front to a stainless steel temple is ic! berlin’s innovative new plotic hinge. Instead of brackets and clips the temple connects to the front organically, forming a hinge that is smoother, stronger and easier to operate than any other. This construction – like the exoskeleton pattern – is impossible to achieve with traditional methods and materials such as acetate, but is ready-to-wear in plotic thanks to the ic! innovation lab.

‘I see exoskeleton’ is for forward-thinkers, free-thinkers and people who do not shy away from attention. It is for confident risk-takers who appreciate the classics but who always look to the future.

‘I see exoskeleton’ will be available in selected opticians and boutiques from February 2016.